Vinyl pressings
by Johnny Wakelin · 1976
Africa Man was first pressed on vinyl in 1976. Every vinyl pressing is listed below with its label, catalog number and runout codes, so you can tell an original from a reissue.
17 pressings came out in 1976, the album's first year, in 10 countries. Compare the label and catalog number on your copy, then the codes etched or stamped in the runout groove (the dead wax around the label): they are the surest sign of an early pressing.
002 17456 A-1/76S II Manufactured in GermanyRunout Side A
002 17456 B-1/76S II Manufactured in GermanyRunout Side B
S 17 456 ALabel Side A
S 17 456 BLabel Side B
S 17 456 AMatrix Side A
S 17 456 AMatrix Side B
002 17456 A-1/76S Manufactured in GermanyRunout Side A
002 17456 B-1/76S Manufactured in GermanyRunout Side B
002 17456 A-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout Side A
002 17456 B-1/76S Made in GermanyRunout Side B
S 17 456 ALabel Side A
S 17 456 BLabel Side B
7N 45639-A1 FOR SUZE O A BILBO BOPPARunout, etched, A side
7N 45639-B1 1 WHO'S STEVE 'N' KEITH MASTER ROOMRunout, etched, B side
✝7N 45639-ALabel side A
✝7N 45639-BLabel side B
7N 45639-A1 FOR SUZE- A BILBO BOPPA!Run-out side A etched
7N 45639-B1 WHO'S STEVE 'N' KEITH MASTER ROOM.Run-out side B etched
†7N 45639-A†Label side A
†7N 45639-B†Label side B
Not sure how to read the runout? See matrix numbers, runout and dead wax and how to tell a first pressing.
By decade, oldest first. Open a pressing for its full label, barcode and runout details.
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1976 | Australia | Astor AP-1914First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Austria | Pye Records 17 456 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Canada | Pye Records 7N 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | France | Pye Records 45.PY. 140 165 / Pye Records 45. PY. 140165First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Pye Records 17 456 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Germany | Pye Records 17 456 ATFirst year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | Germany | Pye Records 17 456 ATFirst year7", Single, 45 RPM | 7", Single, 45 RPM |
| 1976 | Italy | Pye Records PNP 57012First year7", 45 RPM, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Stereo |
| 1976 | Kenya | Pye Records 7N-45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | South Africa | Pye Records 7N PYE 024First year7", Single | 7", Single |
| 1976 | Turkey | Kent KENT 28130 / Kent 28130First year7", 45 RPM | 7", 45 RPM |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single | 7", 45 RPM, Single |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo | 7", 45 RPM, Promo · Promo |
| 1976 | UK | Pye Records 7N 45639First year7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Misprint |
| Year | Country | Label and catalog number | Format |
|---|---|---|---|
| ? | Austria | Pye Records 17 456 AT7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo | 7", 45 RPM, Single, Stereo |
19 vinyl pressings of Africa Man are listed here, from 11 countries, released between 1976 and 1977.
The earliest pressings are from 1976, in Germany, UK, Australia, Austria and more. One of them is Pye Records 17 456 AT.
Check the catalog number on the label (first-year pressings use 17 456 AT, 7N 45639, AP-1914, 45.PY. 140 165) and the codes etched in the runout groove, then compare them with the pressings listed above; for example, 002 17456 A-1/76S II Manufactured in Germany and 002 17456 B-1/76S II Manufactured in Germany. Later reissues often keep the catalog number but change the label design or the runout codes.
It depends on which pressing you have and on the condition of the record and its sleeve. Early pressings from the album's home country in near mint condition are usually worth the most; common later reissues are worth far less. Scan your copy with VinylLens to see its value for every grade.
